Free Finding Day 3

Day 3 so far has been crazy! I thought today might give me some trouble finding new free legal tracks since I was busier today than i had been for some of the week. True, i didn't have much time to look but somehow i have landed the most tracks since i started this series.

The source was http:///www.redflagdeals.com under the freebie section since it seemed like a logical place to start. I assumed i would find some promotional singles from upcoming albums or some sampler packages from unknown artists but i ended getting a lot more.

First on the list: Metallica. Believe it or not the well known seasoned band is giving away free tracks, or free live tracks i should say. Concert locations ranged from sunny California to dreamy Denmark and featured all the classic Metallica songs. Because there were so many i just picked out my favourites and got an absolutely amazing medley of Nothing Else Matters and Until It Sleeps. If you decide to download all of them you will probably end up with over a hundred tracks! The tracks are really if you want the live experience of people cheering and singing along.

Word of warning: The European recordings seem to be higher quality than the US ones although i'm not sure why but then again being in Europe helps everything :)

As i continued to search i found 2 tracks from a new album by Smashing Pumpkins. They have been one of top bands for years so i was thrilled not only that the downloads were free but they were amazing!

Stitch in Time and Widow Make My Mind still have the classic Smashing Pumpkins sound, most obviously in the vocals but with some added new touches. The songs introduce beautiful mixing and blending in the instruments that wasn't as present on Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness. To top it all off, there's a subtle touch of a 50s vibe that offset the lyrics perfectly.

Then came my favourite type of free music.....COMPILATION! Since i like most genres i love being forced into unfamiliar listening territory. Presented by Spin Magazine the sampler is 10 tracks from artists like Neon Indian and Final Fantasy. Now the last track is by a band i already love so i'm bias to which was my favourite. The last track is by The XX who are BRILLIANT and is so delicate it's almost intimidating.

Finally my last find of the day was a full album download by NINE INCH NAILS! The album is called The Slip. Contradictory to the title though i could find no critical mistakes or slip-ups. Great group of songs but not for everyday listen. However if you need to let off steam, pop it into your CD player, get into your beat up chevy, put on some aviators and a ripped jean jacket, drive down a dirt road and enjoy.

Today's results prove that it's not only independent artists that give away free tracks. Even the heavyweights of the industry can benefit from a little promotional tools now and then.